Tag Archives: Disaster Recovery Center

A $27 million dollar federal grant for New York State is expected to provide more than 5,000 unemployed New Yorkers with jobs helping with post-Sandy cleanup, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.

The funds, which are provided by a National Emergency Grant and administrated by the State Department of Labor, will go to the areas hardest hit by the superstorm.

According to the governor, the work will include cleaning and repairing damaged property and public structures, and those hired will earn approximately $15 per hour to work short and long-term projects. Workers will also receive help finding their next job.

“This funding will not only provide young people and the unemployed with the opportunity to participate in cleaning up and rebuilding communities devastated by the storm, but it will provide valuable work experience and on-the-job training that can be useful in future careers,” said Cuomo.

On November 25, Cuomo also announced that the state, together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are going to launch a program to replace FEMA workers, many of which are from outside the state, with up to 700 New Yorkers. These jobs will be full-time and temporary positions.

Homeowners in Queens have only one more day to visit their local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

The center – located at 144-06 94th Street in Jamaica – will close on Wednesday, October 5 at 5 p.m., according to the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

The DRC in Queens opened on Monday, September 26 after Hurricane Irene in order to provide residents seeking help with FEMA disaster recovery specialists. The specialists were able to provide residents with more information about state disaster aid and disaster unemployment programs.

But although the center will close, residents can still apply for federal funding with FEMA until October 28.

To register, call 800-621-3362 or visitwww.disasterassitance.gov. Be sure to provide your social security number and insurance information.